CIFAS markers are recorded in the National Fraud Database (NFD) under specific case types. Each case type describes the type of conduct an organisation believes has occurred. These categories are vital for understanding why a marker was placed and how it might be challenged.
According to Fraudscape 2025, over 421,000 cases were filed to the NFD in 2024, the highest number ever recorded. This represented a 13% increase on the previous year. Identity fraud was the most common category, accounting for 59% of all filings with more than 249,000 cases. Facility (account) takeovers increased by an unprecedented 76%, showing how rapidly the nature of fraud is evolving.
Main Types of CIFAS Markers #
- Identity Fraud
The most reported case type. In 2024, there were 249,417 identity fraud cases. Criminals use stolen or fake details to open accounts, obtain credit, or make purchases. Older people, especially those aged 61 and above, were the most likely victims of this type of fraud. - Facility Takeover
Cases rose sharply in 2024, up from 42,091 to 74,256 filings — a 76% increase. This happens when fraudsters gain unauthorised access to an existing account, often in telecoms or online retail. - False Application
Involves applications supported by false or altered information. These cases increased by 10% in 2024, rising from 19,820 to 21,708. - Misuse of Facility
This occurs when someone allows their account to be used for fraud, such as acting as a money mule. In 2024, filings rose slightly by 1%, with over 74,000 cases recorded. - Asset Conversion
Involves dishonestly selling or disposing of assets, such as cars or secured goods, without the lender’s consent. 730 cases were recorded in 2024. - False Insurance Claim
Filing a fraudulent insurance claim. Although smaller in volume, these cases grew significantly in 2024, increasing by 42% to 644 cases.
Why These Categories Matter #
Understanding which case type applies to your CIFAS marker is crucial because each has different evidence requirements. For example:
- False Application requires proof that information was deliberately falsified.
- Misuse of Facility requires evidence that an account was knowingly used for fraud.
- Victim of Impersonation markers, by contrast, do not indicate wrongdoing by you, but rather that your identity was misused by others.
The Bigger Picture #
Fraud is now industrialised and digitised. Fraudscape 2025 reports that over 80% of scams are digitally enabled, with criminals using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake documents, deepfakes, and sophisticated phishing attacks. Scam factories abroad even employ hundreds of workers under exploitative conditions to run large-scale fraud operations.
A CIFAS marker shows which type of fraud you were associated with, but it does not prove guilt. Markers must always be backed by clear, relevant, and rigorous evidence before being applied.
